LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Healthy Kids

STRESS PASSED FROM THE FATHER?

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Wow!  This article just floored me.  Had to read it several times just to make sure I got it straight.  We know that a pregnant mom’s stress levels actually affect the unborn child’s ability to deal with stress after the baby is born.  But what about dad’s stress levels?

Normally us males run around thinking what we do has no effect on the pregnancy other than what our DNA contributes at the time of conception.  (Ok..maybe that’s not what is typically running through the male mind…)  Drug use, smoking, poor lifestyle habits, environmental chemical exposure, stress.  These are all factors that mom needs to manage or it will affect the baby.

There has always been a feeling that the male’s side was sheltered from this process.  Research is beginning to break down this misconception.

In this particular mouse study, the male and female offspring of fathers who were put under chronic stress had increased stress and anxiety type behaviors as well as elevated levels of stress hormones.  Not good.

Here’s where the story gets VERY interesting.  These changes were not transmitted through IVF.  Basically, if the father’s DNA was taken and used, the changes did not occur.

This means that the transmission is occurring on a much different level, likely one we do not understand yet.

While this is a mouse study, the implications for humans remain striking.  Stress is likely not only transmitted through the mom, but also the father.  Consider this in the context of todays’ stressful lifestyles.

Read more…

BRESTFEEDING STILL NOT SUPPORTED IN HOSPITALS

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I think we’ve long gone past the acceptance that nothing is better for the baby than breastmilk.  For many years, those groups such as the La Leche League were ostracized and viewed as crazy people.  Fast forward decades of research and we now know that there are tangible benefits of breastfeeding that far outweigh formula.

Heck, it has only been recently that we found out that probiotic strains like Lactobacillus actually show up in breastmilk!  And further recent evidence finds that supportive factors like galacotoligosaccarhides (GOS) are present to support the further growth of healthy bacterial flora in the newborn’s gut.

As research progresses I’m sure we’ll find many more compounds unique to breastmilk that are not in formula.  It has never and will never compare.  So why do we have this fascination with formula?

It seems like the recommendations at the hospital as well as the pediatrician’s office favor formula.  You can’t leave a newborn alone in the hospital or he or she may be fed formula.  A new mom goes home with a wonderful bag loaded with formula samples and coupons.

This particular study demonstrates just how pathetic hospitals are at promoting breastfeeding, despite what they may say to expectant parents.  In 2009, a paltry  3.5% of US hospitals met at least 9 out of 10 criteria for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative put together by the WHO.  3.5%.

How comfortable does that make YOU feel about giving birth in a hospital?

Read more…

PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE DURING PREGNANCY ON THE RISE

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From my perspective, the use of ANY prescription medication during pregnancy is of concern.  However, with time it seems like society and medicine are becoming increasingly accepting of its use.

Environmental Working Groups’ (http://www.ewg.org/) 10 Americans study was immensely eye opening view on just how many chemicals the developing baby is exposed to.  While this particular study looked at environmental chemicals, it demonstrated beyond a doubt that the placenta is not the great, wonderful filter we thought it was.  The vast majority of what mom is exposed to the developing baby is exposed to.

Some of these exposures we have an understanding of.  The vast majority of the 88,000 chemicals allowed by the EPA have no studies.  The same holds true for the FDA and prescription drugs.  In general, we have very little data on what effects prescription drugs have on the baby’s development.  Without a doubt, because of our lack of understanding and the vital importance of the topic at hand, the only answer is to err on the side of caution.

I understand that some medications may be necessary during pregnancy.  But this study finds that, over the past 3 decades, prescription use during first trimester has increased 60%.  60% increase.  What drugs exactly are women taking that they didn’t need 30 years ago?   The use of 4 or more medications at a time tripled.

Even more frightening is the finding that, by 2008, a whopping 50% of women (out of 30,000 surveyed) had taken a medication during the first trimester.  That’s half for those of you not good at math.

This suggests that the permissive nature of the use of pharmaceutical drugs has bled over into pregnancy, which used to be the realm of avoid medications at all costs.  The long term ramifications of this chemical exposure to our child has yet to be played out, but I can guarantee it’s not going to be pretty.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937811002195

TOO MUCH FAT IN PREGNANCY MAY DAMAGE THE BABY PERMANENTLY

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I know that you have been properly indoctrinated into the understanding that what we do before, during and after pregnancy will preprogram the baby for health or disease for decades to come.  The second a couple decides to become pregnant it is no longer about them–every decision they make influences the developing baby.

This particular study, while a mouse study, reinforces this finding in yet another dimension.  The feeding of a high fat diet to pregnant mice let to a permanently reduced the ability of the baby to produce antioxidants, specifically in the liver.  That means that this little baby, due to no fault of it’s own, will suffer increased liver damage as a result of mom’s behavior during pregnancy.

Add to this being overweight prior to pregnancy and reduced intake of antioxidants during pregnancy and other problems are known to occur.

Probably the scariest in society today is the sheer volume of environmental contaminants that the developing baby is exposed to.  According the the 10 Americans Study performed by http://www.ewg.org/ the average exposure of infants in the womb (from a mere 400 out of some 82,000 chemicals approved by the EPA) was to 287 different chemicals.  Run a search on YouTube for the 10 Americans Study and watch the presentation–a strong eye opener.  The exposure is massive.

Some we can be aware of and control.  BPA.  Teflon.  Flame retardants, phthalates, pesticides, insecticides, weed killers, cigarette smoke.  These are just some of the known exposures.  It’s the unknown ones affecting the developing baby that is scary.  The best we can do is limit the known exposure and counteract the exposures with the highest intake of phytonutrients possible through a plant based diet free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

Your baby will thank you.  When he or she is 50.

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/141/7/1254.abstract

WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID CHEERIOS, OATMEAL FOR BREAKFAST…

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I hope we can skip the discussion about needing breakfast here.  It does still amaze me how many people skip breakfast.  Not enough time.  Not hungry.  Trying to cut calories.  However, with new patients coming into my office, I can say that few actually were eating an appropriate breakfast if they were even eating it.  Most are under the mistaken impression that something like Cheerios, Special K or oatmeal constitutes a good breakfast.

First, before we cover what a good breakfast consists of, let’s again stress just how darn important it is.  This particular study takes an interesting look at what happens to our physiology when we skip breakfast.  Researchers had participants divided into a breakfast (B) and no-breakfast (NB) group, then, 2.5 hours later, gave them a liquid drink.  Those in the NB group had all around worse response in their blood to the drink than those who did eat breakfast (higher sugar, higher insulin, higher fats, lower GLP, more calories at lunch).

Basically, skipping breakfast sent the participants physiology into a tailspin towards diabetes.  Pretty darn impressive for a single meal, huh?  Imagine when it is a pattern of lifestyle.

Now, on to the “what” portion of breakfast.  It should come as no surprise that dairy, refined carbs and artificial colors/flavors are off the list.  So this rules out the Special K cereals and pretty much 98% of what the big confectionery companies (Kellogg’s, Quaker, Nabisco, Kraft) produce.

I always steer patients towards a very high fiber (8+ grams) or protein based breakfast.  That means real peanut butter on true whole grain bread.  Omega 3 eggs cooked in olive oil.  A handful of nuts.  There are some very high quality cereals made by Kashi, Amy’s, Nature’s Path, etc, that meet the high fiber qualification.  Just add one of the many nut milks available (soy, hazelnut, almond, rice, hemp, etc…) instead of dairy.

You should note that this rules out all but the highest quality oatmeals.  Your typical “instant” oatmeals are not going to provide this high of a level of fiber and likely contain lots of added sugars.  You could, however, do a plain oatmeal and add in your own cinnamon, nuts and / or granola to improve the value.

Either way, careful attention to breakfast is absolutely critical towards a lifetime of diabetes avoidance and maintaining ideal body composition.

DOES MY CHILD NEED VITAMIN D?

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I questioned whether I should add yet another boring post on the benefits of vitamin D on “x” disease.  I know–we all get it by now and we are all supplementing with reasonable levels of vitamin D.  If you are not, then there is something seriously wrong with your reading abilities, or you feel that slathering on baby oil mixed with iodine while sunbathing next to the pool here in AZ in July is getting you the levels you need.

But what about our children?  We all grew up without vitamin D supplementation and we turned out just fine, right?  Sure–if you consider massive increases in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer “fine.”

The is unquestionably some as-yet-to-be-determined factor or factors playing a role in the low levels of vitamin D in our population’s collective bloodstreams.  Obesity, UVA penetration through glass and breaking down the formation of vitamin D (think driving in the summer with your AC on and windows up), air pollution and sunscreen may all be factors.

This particular study finds that low levels of vitamin D correlate with many cardiovascular disease risk factors (waist circumference, HDL levels, insulin levels and blood pressure).  Those with the lowest levels were 71% more likely to have these risks factors.  That’s very substantial AND very scary given that this study was done in 12-19 year olds.

Personally, I make sure that my son gets, on top of rational sun exposure, around 800-1000 IU of vitamin D per day.  This is considered a very safe level of supplementation.  It also makes it easier–whenever I take mine, he knows that it’s time for him to take his. 

http://www.ajcn.org/content/94/1/225.abstract

COULD YOUR CHILD’S WILL REALLY BE HELPING?

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I firmly believe that children are made to run like little Energizer bunnies until they crash within the first 5 miles in the car or as soon as you manage to get them to lie their little heads on their pillow.  However, I think that we, as adults, do our best to temper this energy rather than let it run unbridled.

I know my 5 year old would willingly race me to every neck crack in the sidewalk if he had his way.  He is also interested in moving and would trade the chance to go to a “bouncy” place or park over just about anything else.  (the trampoline places will have to wait awhile until he gets over his recent leg fracture…)  But, just like the norm in society today, he does love video games.

Ever since the advent of the active gaming units like the Wii and now the Move and Kinex, the question has been raised about whether this will have an impact on our childrens’ increasing waist to hip ratios..

This particular study looked at changes in body composition over 6 months in 10-14 year olds when these types of game systems were used.  The changes were not Earth shattering, but certainly any improvement is a good one.

The bottom line is that these types of game systems will never replace active play, but may be a small part of the puzzle when combined with healthy diets to maintain ideal body compositions in our children.

http://www.ajcn.org/content/94/1/156.abstract

CAN THE WRONG GUT BACTERIA MAKE US FATTER??

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This is not the first time I’ve gone on a rant about the importance of having a healthy blend of bacteria in the gut on all kinds of chronic disease.  And the fact that wanton antibiotic use (especiallly in our infants and children) decimates a healthy gut and poor lifestyle choices do the same.  Stress can change our gut flora from healthy to unhealthy in a matter of hours.

Our gut contains hundreds and hundreds of little critters.  Bacteria dominate but also coexist with yeasts.  Despite what some promote (Candida diets, antibiotics, etc..), you can never completely eradicate anything in the gut.  Consider our gut like the Taliban underground hideouts in Afghanistan-too many places to hide to wipe them all out.

So consider our gut as more of the most important game of “kind of the hill” you will play.  Probiotic supplementation, good blend of soluble and insoluble fiber, exercise and low stress all help to keep the good guys on top of the hill.

This line of research indicated in this particular study is jaw droppingly fascinating.  Basically, the bacteria in our gut differs if we are obese or lean.  The obese person’s bacteria is more effective at harvesting calories for the person.  This means that more of the calories we eat get absorbed and have the potential to get stored as fat. 

Furthermore, as lean people consumed more calories, the bacteria quickly adapted towards the “obesigenic” side and helped the person absorb more calories.

Very powerful information.  Consider this information the next time a pediatrician wants to put your infant or child on antibiotics for a simple ear infection, Strept throat (yes–I said Strept throat!!) or an upper respiratory tract infection.

http://www.ajcn.org/content/94/1/58.abstract